The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1887-12-10
A QUEER STORY.
The Final Outcome of the Ham
mersmith Mystery.

Mr.. Martin Stuckey had been prosper
Gus colonial merchant in his day, but at the
age of fifty-fve he encountered success
sion of misfortunes which ultimately landed
him in the Bankruptcy Court When that
crisis was past he went to live in small
house at Hammersmih with his wife, his
Younger son, Ephraim, and one servant.
Net long after his wife died, and this last
blow reduced the old man to a complete
wreck. He became childish, and lost his
meanory so completely that he had no recol-
lection of ordinary events from day to day,
which was, perhaps, merciful dispense
ton Of Providence after ali.
Epilraim Stuckey was now the master of
the house, though the house itself belonged
TO the father, having been purchased with
some money of Mrs. Stuckeys. Ephraim
was stockbroker in small way of bust
ness, which might have been larger if
Kphrain himself had been fouder of work,
aad had combined little more greedness
for the commissions of clients with a little
less faith in grand speculative coups on his
OWL account He was addicted TO grum6-
ling at the hardships Of his lot, and more
particularly at the burden of keeping "the
old man." as he called his father. This,
however, was as unreasonable as it was I'M
Adetlu iOi NV OhlN w do living TGUb
free in his fathers house, but old Mr. Stuck.
ey's maintenance was fully provided for
by the elder sou, Alfred. Alfred, in his
fathers palmy days, had been put into the
church. He was now a curate in Midland
CcUaty parish on princely stipend of 92J0
d year. out of which he contributed ESQ
gear to his fathers support-quite enough
To leave a margin of profit for Ephraim.
II any enc, therefore, had reason to grum-
bic at the prolongation Of the fathers life
1t was Alfred. l. must be mentioned, how
ever, that there was one small expectation
for both The sons upon their fathers death.
Martin Stuckey's life had been insured in
better days for $4,000, and the premiums
upoG the policy had been kept up by the
JOiat contributions of the two young men.
But MIR Stuckey showed no immediate
Likelihood Of enabling his sons to realize
thls Investment. Since the breakdown of
his mind his bodily health had much i'm
proved. as not unfrequently happens in such
CAGES, aud his mental incapacity was not of
a s.nd to cause anxiety. There had been at
ga time question between the brothers
about providing him with an attendant,
cat Ephralm was opposed to unnecessary
expense, and pointed out that the old gen.
tiemau never left the house unless by in.
Fitation, and that, while within doors, he
was perfectly under the control OF those
about him, including even the one maid
servant of the establishments trust
worthy young woman, who had boon with
the family for some years. The truth was
that the old gentleman was SO submissive
that, if so ordered, he would remain in one
room for hours together, and under these
circumstances it really seemed that Eph-
"a :, J., ,F
looking after him. This idea, however,
Aurred out to be erroneous
Rev. Alfred Stuckey did not often visit
London, but when he did so he always en-
deavcred to spend a day with his father.
On such occasions he would generally take
tho old gentleman out wi h HIM for the day,
processing to think that he was too much
confined to the house. One dav, about the
middle of October, Ephraim Stuckey in
formed the maid-servant that his brother
was coming to town, and added that, if
Alfred should take his father out. as he
sometimes did, she had better take days
holiday.
Esl due course Rev. Alfred arrived and,
after spending night at the house, he SAID
shat he would take his father by steamboat
80 Richmond for the day. The maid was
accordingly informed that she could have
her promised holiday Then, however. a
difficulty arose. The girl wished to go some
distance and could not be back before eight
O'Clock in the evening. Alfred, on the
other hand, had no intention OF keeping his
father out till that hour, and besides this,
he had to return that night to his parish,
for which purpose he must leave st. Pan
cras station at abont seven o'clock. Who.
then was to take charge of old Mr.. Stuckey
ia the iutervali
81 dare say can get home" said Eph-
'raim. "What time will you returnm
THAT depends on father. Not later than
fjve O'CLOCK in any case As have TO be at
NJ. Pancras by seven l shall leave here
before $50"
IL think l can manage to be back by that
time" said Ephraim, land there is no harm
IN leaving the governor for half an hour by
himself. Ii am not here when you return
put him into that armchair, give him his
g4pe and tell him in your most impressive
voice that he is not to stir on any account
till come in"
"Are you sure that he will be all rightP'
Perfectly. He would not move if the
house was on fire"
With this understanding the parties sep
arated.
II was between 80 and nine p. m. on the